WHY IS…Listening So Crucial?

Great leaders understand the importance of listening well. Being a great listener benefits you and the other person. It’s the ultimate win-win.

As a coach you understand how important the skill of listening is, but do your players?

Here’s four reasons why Listening is essential:

Learn in Every Opportunity – When you are a great listener it allows you to learn in every opportunity. Whether it’s on the field, court, or in the classroom there are so many lessons and nuggets of wisdom shared that if we’re not listening we miss them; and miss out on an opportunity to learn.

Exhibit Respect – Being a great listener allows us to exhibit tremendous respect towards others. The best way to get respect, is to give it. One of the best ways you can show a teammate, coach, or teacher you care is simply by listening to them. Others feel respected when given eye contact while they’re speaking. Make it a habit of maintaining eye contact while listening, and you’ll make others feel respected.

Develop Patience – When communicating with others we’re often tempted to interrupt in order to prove a point or show competence. Great listeners have patience. They’re able to wait for the other person to finish speaking before sharing their thoughts. Make it a habit to listen without planning in your mind what you’re going to say when it’s your turn to talk. Patience is developed when we trust our ability to hold a thought while listening to others complete theirs.

Increases Productivity – Good listening skills enhance productivity at practice and in the classroom. The ability to listen allows players to better understand the instructions given. Listening well will decrease the amount of clarifying questions asked, thus more time is spent on gaining proficiency on the skills required for success.

People who listen well will perform better in a team environment. Let’s build teams filled with great listeners.

Make sure everyone on your team understands WHY Listening is so crucial!

Do you want access to drills and exercises you can use to help build more enthusiastic players?

Take advantage of the #LeadEmUp program by getting a seasons worth of drills and exercises today. Like the hundreds of teams and thousands of players going through the program you won’t be disappointed.